| | | 2 1 CRER~1068 strontium~-87 (390 keV, ta = 2.8 h) and barium-139 (165 kev, ty = 1.4 h) when irradiated in a flux of slow neutrons. Following such an irradiation, and appropriate chemical purifica- tion, the induced activity in each sample was compared with | standards on a Y scintillation spectrometer. | Calcium hag been determined in order to establish strontium-90/ealciumratios in components of the Canadian diet. The method used was the classical oxalate precipitation (1) with CC eee Pe ae mee minor modifications. SAMPLING PROCEDURES Samples of flour, wheat and milk were available through national networks originally proposed for the monitoring of 'fallout!' in the Canadian diet. Other produce was sampled less representatively through purchases from the retail market in the major cities of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Wheat Arrangements were made with the Grain Research Laboratory, Winnipeg, to supply and composite samples of the 1959 and 1960 wheat crop from their 306 sampling districts. Nine composite Samples were prepared representing roughly similar geographical areas within each of the three Prairie Provinces. A single combining aliquots from the three provinces in proportion to their annual production. : Soe chendemtte composite sample was made up for the years 1959 and 1960 by

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